Question 1

Why are suppliers receiving more data requests from customers?

Accepted Answer

Due to increasing geopolitical uncertainty, shifting buyer expectations, and rapidly evolving regulations, suppliers are facing significantly more inquiries about their product and supply chain data. Some suppliers have seen up to a 500% year-over-year increase in requests. Managing this increase with manual processes or spreadsheets is no longer sustainable. AI-native technology and expert support are now essential for keeping up.

Question 2

How does Assent support suppliers in managing complex data requirements?

Accepted Answer

Assent combines AI-native automation with real human guidance. The platform simplifies data submission, allows you to upload data once and share it with multiple customers, and provides clear workflows. Meanwhile, supplier success specialists offer hands-on support, clarify requirements, provide training, and deliver supplier-focused education, turning overwhelming demands into manageable steps.

Question 3

What benefits do suppliers gain from using the Assent Sustainability Platform?

Accepted Answer

The platform acts as a central hub for responding to customer requests quickly and accurately. Assent specialists help suppliers get set up, navigate the system, configure catalogs and parts, and remove roadblocks. This leads to higher submission rates, fewer errors, and reduced workload, especially with tools like Request Manager, which allows suppliers to manage all data requests in one place,  even from companies not using Assent.

Question 4

How does Assent ensure ongoing success for suppliers?

Accepted Answer

Assent’s approach includes proactive issue resolution and continuous product improvement. Supplier success specialists help identify problems early, prevent repeated issues, and streamline workflows. They also gather real supplier feedback that guides updates to the platform, campaign strategy, and overall customer success approach, ensuring the system continually aligns with supplier needs.

Question 5

What are the Minnesota PFAS reporting rule requirements?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota’s final PFAS reporting rule requires manufacturers to report all products containing intentionally added PFAS that are sold, offered, or distributed in the state, including online sales. The rule covers a broad product scope, including fluoropolymers such as PTFE. Manufacturers must submit detailed product information, PFAS functions, and concentration ranges through Minnesota’s new PRISM reporting system. A one-time $800 fee per manufacturer applies, and most reported information will be publicly accessible unless trade-secret protection is approved.

Question 6

What is PRISM for PFAS reporting?

Accepted Answer

PRISM (PFAS Reporting and Information System for Manufacturers) is Minnesota’s new online platform for submitting PFAS product data. Launching January 2026, PRISM will serve as the centralized system for Minnesota’s PFAS reporting program and is designed to support multi-state adoption in the future. Manufacturers will use PRISM to register, prepare submissions, report PFAS in products, request waivers, and manage trade-secret claims.

Question 7

What is the Minnesota PFAS reporting deadline?

Accepted Answer

The initial Minnesota PFAS reporting deadline is July 1, 2026. This deadline applies to all in-scope products sold or distributed in the state. Beginning February 2027, manufacturers must report all new products containing intentionally added PFAS by February 1 each year. Ongoing re-reporting is not required unless a product changes, making it essential for companies to maintain a scalable, repeatable PFAS tracking process.

Question 8

What are EPR packaging laws, and why do they matter for manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) packaging laws make manufacturers financially and operationally responsible for managing their packaging waste at the end of its life. Under these laws, producers must fund recycling, reporting, and waste management programs through Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).In the U.S., EPR is state-driven, meaning compliance varies by state. Manufacturers must track packaging data, report to the appropriate PRO, and pay eco-modulated fees based on recyclability and material composition.EPR laws support a circular economy, reduce landfill waste, and help manufacturers meet sustainability goals.

Question 9

How do manufacturers comply with EPR packaging requirements?

Accepted Answer

Compliance typically involves four key steps:Register and join the appropriate Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).Track and report the types, weights, and recyclability of packaging materials placed on the market.Pay PRO fees, which may vary based on packaging recyclability (eco-modulation).Meet recycling and content targets — for example, post-consumer recycled content in plastics and paper.Manufacturers must also monitor updates to avoid gaps in compliance across states. Using centralized EPR compliance software helps automate reporting and ensures data accuracy across jurisdictions.

Question 10

How can manufacturers prepare for EPR compliance and avoid penalties?

Accepted Answer

The best way to avoid EPR compliance risks is through proactive preparation and consistent data management. Start by identifying where your products are sold, what materials your packaging uses, and whether those materials are in scope for EPR programs. From there, establish internal tracking processes and join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) early.Manufacturers can also reduce costs and risk by designing recyclable or reusable packaging, centralizing reporting data, and automating updates across states as new regulations emerge. Investing in an EPR compliance platform helps ensure you meet reporting deadlines, maintain audit-ready documentation, and stay ahead of rapidly changing state requirements.

Question 11

How does Assent help manufacturers manage EPR packaging compliance?

Accepted Answer

Assent helps manufacturers simplify and scale their EPR compliance across multiple U.S. states. The Assent Sustainability Platform centralizes packaging data, automates reporting to Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), and keeps you ahead of evolving requirements.With Assent, you can track material composition, calculate packaging weights, and generate audit-ready reports that align with state-specific EPR laws, from California’s SB 54 to Colorado’s HB 22-1355. The platform also provides real-time regulatory updates, so you’re never caught off guard by new reporting deadlines or scope changes.

Question 12

What is the BIS 50% Rule (Affiliates Rule)?

Accepted Answer

The BIS 50% Rule is a new U.S. export control requirement that extends Entity List and MEU List restrictions to any company that is 50% or more owned (directly or indirectly) by one or more listed entities. This includes subsidiaries, holding companies, offshore structures, and multi-layer corporate ownership.

Question 13

When will the BIS 50% Rule be fully enforced?

Accepted Answer

The rule becomes fully enforceable in November 2026, but early preparation is essential due to the difficulty of uncovering hidden ownership relationships.

Question 14

What are the risks of BIS 50% Rule non-compliance?

Accepted Answer

Organizations face export privilege loss, regulatory penalties, and significant shipment delays. Many companies now search for BIS 50% Rule penalties and export control enforcement as enforcement tightens.

Question 15

How does Assent support BIS 50% Rule compliance?

Accepted Answer

Assent’s Enhanced Entity Screening integrates AI-powered analysis, ownership tracing, and expert review to:Identify complex indirect ownership chainsUncover offshore or layered affiliatesConsolidate beneficial ownership data across jurisdictionsApply OFAC and BIS style 50% ownership logicProduce defensible evidence for audits and licensing decisions

Question 16

What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?

Accepted Answer

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemical substances that resist natural breakdown, remain in the environment for long periods, and build up in living organisms. Examples include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, and dioxins. POPs can travel long distances through air and water, affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide.

Question 17

What is the EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021)?

Accepted Answer

The EU POPs Regulation, also known as Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, is the European Union’s legal framework for controlling persistent organic pollutants. It enforces the Stockholm Convention by restricting or banning POPs production, use, and disposal to prevent environmental contamination.

Question 18

Which industries are most affected by POPs legislation?

Accepted Answer

Industries such as electronics, automotive, textiles, and construction are most affected by persistent organic pollutant (POP) regulations. These sectors often use materials containing POPs, such as flame retardants, lubricants, or plasticizers, and must comply with EU POPs restrictions to continue selling products in the European Union.

Question 19

How can companies ensure compliance with the EU POPs Regulation?

Accepted Answer

To comply with the EU POPs Regulation, companies should collect full material disclosures (FMDs) from suppliers, perform chemical screening to detect POPs, and use Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Compliance software. Ongoing monitoring of new POPs listings under the Stockholm Convention helps maintain compliance as regulations evolve.

Question 20

Why is compliance management becoming a strategic advantage for suppliers?

Accepted Answer

As global regulations evolve toward product sustainability across the entire product life cycle, customers want partners who deliver on transparency as well as compliance.When customers ask for compliance information, they are also evaluating your reliability as a business partner. Suppliers who respond quickly and accurately demonstrate professionalism and build long-term trust. A mature compliance process shows that you are prepared for future regulations and larger opportunities. Instead of seeing compliance as a box to check, think of it as part of your reputation. It proves that you operate responsibly and transparently. With the right tools and consistent processes, even a small supplier can stand out as a trusted and preferred partner in the supply chain.

Question 21

Why is compliance management becoming harder for suppliers to handle manually?

Accepted Answer

Regulations are expanding in scope and complexity, covering areas like chemical use, labor practices, and sustainability. Many suppliers still manage compliance data with spreadsheets or through email, which can work for a few customers but quickly becomes unmanageable as requirements increase. Manual methods make it easy to miss updates, lose important documentation, or duplicate work across customer requests. As larger manufacturers strengthen their oversight, suppliers who cannot deliver complete and consistent data face delays, additional audits, or even lost contracts.

Question 22

What are compliance management data best practices for suppliers?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a large compliance department to manage growing data demands effectively. Strong compliance management begins with visibility: Knowing what materials you use, which regulations apply, and how to share that information confidently with your customers. With Assent’s sustainability platform, you can manage and automate all your compliance data requests in one place. Instead of juggling multiple spreadsheets and emails, our network-driven system connects you to the same platform used by leading manufacturers. That means you can share accurate, complete information across multiple customers at once, cutting down on repetitive work and response time. Assent’s AI-driven tools also help you identify missing data, flag potential risks, and prepare for future requests more easily.

Popular Posts

Sustainability Experts Clear the Air on the Most Confusing & Misused ESG Buzzwords

The Future of Sustainability: Introducing Assent’s Sustainability Roadmap

Canadian PFAS Reporting Crash Course

The Latest

Quick Filter

Filter by:

5 Supplier Program Must-Haves for Success in 2026

New Minnesota PFAS Reporting Rule: What it Means for You

U.S. EPR Packaging Laws by State

AI & Your Sustainable Supply Chain: Perspectives on Technology With Verdantix

The BIS 50% Rule (Affiliates Rule): Get Prepared Now

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification & Its Impact On the Defense Supply Chain

Understanding Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Compliance

How Smart Suppliers Save Time On Compliance Management

The IMI Roadmap to Supply Chain Sustainability With Assent

Assent Recognizes Manufacturers for Leading Supply Chain Sustainability Programs

Stay in the Know

Ready to book a demo?